Confidence not complacency is the key as Wanderers aim to maintain their winning streak, according to manager Ian Evatt.
Evatt takes his side to Shrewsbury Town tonight (Tuesday) on the back of a four-match winning run and seven victories in their last eight games in all competitions.
And the Whites’ boss wants his players to keep riding that wave without taking anything for granted in their quest to keep firing on all fronts.
“We had a conversation about the line between confidence and complacency and making sure we stay on the right side of the confidence line and don't become complacent or expectant,” said Evatt as he prepares for the trip to Croud Meadow to face a Shrews side which, like Wanderers, progressed in the FA Cup last weekend.
“We want to keep confident and want to keep progressing and working hard to improve, but I’m pleased with what I’m seeing.
“We've been going well of late, but we know with football the minute you think you've cracked it, it normally comes and bites you on the backside so we're just staying on the right side of confidence rather than complacent and working hard to keep going.
“It is a fine line. The game against Wigan for instance, because we started the season so well and were really dominating the games and winning so comfortably, we probably dipped on the other side of that line, if we're honest.
“We got hurt and were upset and really that's fuelling our drive and desire to make sure that never happens again. We want to make sure we are right for Tuesday night and, like anything, it starts with our right attitude and right energy.”
The home defeat to Wigan in August is one of only four losses Wanderers have suffered across all competitions in 19 games so far this season.
Three of those have come in League One, with the in-form Whites sitting third in the division and with the chance to go level on points with second-placed Oxford if they can take advantage of a game in hand against a Shrewsbury side lying 18th in the table but with four home league wins to their credit under former Wanderers’ defender Matt Taylor.
“I think we're still behind some teams (in games played), but that's the nature of having international players and we don't want to turn that down,” added Evatt, whose team faces Shrewsbury, Blackpool and then Stockport County in the EFL Trophy ahead of the next international break.
“It's an opportunity for us to go and get some points on the board. Others aren't playing and it's a catch-up thing but for us it's just about another three points and the next game and the next challenge.
“Shrewsbury is always a difficult place to go. I think there are teams which have lost already there this season; big teams well, well-fancied teams and tonight will be no different.
“We know what to expect and we have to go there with the right mindset and attitude, first and foremost, and do the basics really, really well and then on top of the basics we need to add our quality.
“If we can do that it gives us a good chance of getting the right result, but we know Matty will make sure they're highly motivated to cause a bit of an upset and get them winning games (in the league) again. It's a challenge but one we're looking forward to.”
Watch the manager's pre-match interview later on Wanderers TV